Palace Hurdle for Robles

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World record holder and Olympic 110m Hurdles champion Dayron Robles has confirmed he will compete in the hurdles at the Aviva London Grand Prix, July 24 and 25.

The Cuban star who is unbeaten in five races this season hopes to continue his terrific form, which includes a world best this year of 13.04s, at Crystal Palace in eight days time.

“I am really happy with how my season is going so far, I am undefeated in five races and am looking to take this form to London and then of course onto the World Championships in Berlin where I would like to win a gold medal.”

The twenty-two year old will come up against strong opposition at Crystal Palace with Olympic silver medallist David Payne and Olympic bronze medallist David Oliver lining up alongside the Cuban, as well as Great Britain’s Andy Turner a recent winner at the European Team Championships in Portugal, making it one of the most competitive events in a weekend of world class athletics in south London.

Robles is up for the challenge:

“My main rival is myself but of course with the other big names due to line up against me, I will have extra motivation to put in a good performance for the London crowd.”

It will be the twenty-two year old’s first outing in London and he is looking forward to it:

“I have never raced in London before so I am excited to show the spectators what I can do and it will be the perfect preparation for Berlin.”

The Cuban hurdler is favourite to take the World title next month but Payne will be his main rival as Liu Xhang has not overcome his lingering feet injury problems and David Oliver did not qualify from the US National Championships.

In the women’s event the World Indoor champion Lolo Jones has confirmed she will be compete at the Aviva London Grand Prix. The twenty-six year old American has her eyes on the World Championships in August hoping to make up for her Olympic heartbreak. 2008 had been a great year for Jones right up to the Olympic final but the American was cruelly robbed of a gold medal. When leading the 100m hurdles final, she clipped the penultimate hurdle causing her to stumble and finish in 7th place.

Tickets for the Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace, London on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th July are available by phone on 08000 556 056 or online at www.uka.org.uk